They say that you can always get by if you have a good story to tell. Try this one.

Rating: 7/10 (8 October 2001)

An outstanding feature of this film is the atmosphere developed in all the crowd scenes. The early morning arrival of the SS Virginian filled to the brim with well-heeled passengers and excited emigrants shouting "America!" is a most moving spectacle. Another crowd scene is deep down in the belly of the ship where stokers grimy and sweaty are shovelling coal into the open mouths of the fiery boilers. The whole scene is grim and threatening with steel platforms and steel steps, heavy chains and pulleys, men shouting above the noisy activity. Then again many decks above bring us to the crowded dance floor aglow with the rich and famous out for a good time with wine,women and song. Diector Giuseppe Tornatore handles all these scenes superbly and with true feeling. In all this shipboard activity is a lonely man called 1900. Of unknown parentage he was given that name by stokers down below after being found in a box on the grand piano in 1900. He was born at sea, lived his whole life at sea and could never bring himself to leave the ship. He died at sea. The character 1900 is played by three people - a baby (adorable), a young boy (charming) and a grown man (Tim Roth). Most people will remember this film for the exciting piano playing competition. I have never seen such nimble fingers as they rattle over the keys and hammer the piano wires into a fiery temperature. The photography at this point with its multiple overlapping images of hands and piano keys helps to build the excitement. It's pretty serious business because bets are laid on the outcome of the competition. 1900 has one true friend, a trumpet player. I like the scene where the two men seated at the piano (with the brakes off) race at a terrifying speed around the ballroom as the ship lurches to and fro in the heavy seas. I have a couple of queries though. I may have missed something in the film but I cannot recall how 1900 learnt to play so well and who taught him. But it makes a great scene and the music is exciting and enjoyable. And that girl....peering in through the porthole as young 1900 woos her with his gentle notes. What a gorgeous angelic creature who touches the heart of 1900 for a fleeting moment! Such a small role and yet the glow of her face remains long after the credits fade.